Programming Dance, Techno & Drum'n'Bass

In this workshop I will show you a few tricks to create nice rhythmic patterns. All patches are linked to the INT or EXT MIDI Clock. You can use either the Nord Modular's internal MIDI Clock ('INT' in the NM Editor: Synth Settings), or an external sequencer/device as clock source ('EXT' in the NM Editor: Synth Settings). Click on the pictures below to download and save/upload the patch to your Nord Modular synthesizer.

So, let's look at some examples:

While Nord Modular users have all the knobs available to them, some of these examples require that Micro Modular users use the knob floater instead.

Using the NM Event Sequencer triggering a kick drum

(push the preset knob of the DrumSynth module, and you can choose between different types of drum sounds)

As we can see, the Midi Global module receives the Midi Clock, which is divided by the Clock Divider into a more workable tempo. The sequencer triggers the DrumSynth module on the beat.

To create a different and cheaper kick drum, you can take the PercOsc module and add an Envelope Generator to the pitch modulation input:

Lets add some hi-hats to this patch. We will not use the DrumSynth module, but two x-modulated slave sine osc's instead:

The hi-hats are sounding a bit "flat". To add more control to their envelopes and timbre, we will use a Pattern Generator to modulate the filter and the env.'s release. You will hear a sort of opening and closing of the hi-hats:

So, lets add a snare drum to it. This time we make use of the DrumSynth module, but you can use a Noise Generator, Sine Osc and filter instead:

Making use of the logic processor (see Rob's workshop on Logic), will place the snare drum into a rhythmic pattern, changing when you turn knob 2.

A completely different way to trigger the kick drum

Instead of an Event Sequencer we will use a Control Sequencer. We see this as a repetitive pattern, which is lead into a Control Mixer. Every step value above zero will cause the Gain Controller to let through the trigger signal. The Constant Module (called Trigger in this patch), will add plus or minus values to the complete pattern. This will result in less trigger signals at the minus value of the Constant Module. When we use a more plus value, we will notice the overall value of the Control Sequencer will go up, resulting in producing more triggers. We can turn knobs 6-12 or push the RND(random) knob of the Control Sequencer. A new drum pattern will be the result. Tip: You can add a morph to the Control Sequencer:

To emphasize some parts of the beat, we can use the same construction. A Control Mixer with a Control Sequencer input and a Constant Module (called accent). Turn knob 9. In this patch, we can control the Perc Osc's pitch as well.(Knobs 4, 5, and 6).Turn knob7 to morph the beat.

Creating a melodic drum line:

The Control Sequencer is now used as modulation input for the Gain Controller and modulating the Perc Osc's pitch as well. We can even tune this modulation signal by use of the Key Quantizer(Control Mix input full up).

Creating a drum set:

Creating Reset slices:

Coloring percussion with the Ring Modulator and automatic pattern changer added:

Nice timbral fx can be produced by use of a Ring Modulator (see RM workshop). The Pattern Generator generates different patterns in this patch, but pitch modulate the Sine Osc(modulator) as well. The Clock Divider gives a trigger pulse each beginning of a new bar:

This trick is works fine for hi-hats as well. The constant values to the 4-1 Switch detune the hi-hats frequency too. The hi-hats are now made with FM synthesis. Noise as energy into a resonating filter (producing a noisy sine wave), modulating a FM slave osc, modulating another FM slave osc.

How to use these tricks on a bass patch:

To conclude this workshop, here are four "big" examples:

A nice changing percussion thing. Tweak those knobs:

Added a Random switch (knob 16).

I hope you will have a lot of fun with them. Combine these patches and tricks to form new ones!